Bleak Expectations: The Complete First Series

A Victorian epic of awful schools inc the aptly named St Bastards, worse prisons, nuns at St Bitches, giant rabbits, and long lost super-hero aunts, in the style of Charles Dickens after far too much gin.

Publisher's Summary

Bleak Expectations is the remarkable adventures of young Philip Bin as he struggles to rescue himself and his sisters from the plotting of his guardian, the scheming, evil and badly-named Mr Gently Benevolent, and the blood-curdling Hardthrasher brothers.

A Victorian epic of awful schools inc the aptly named St Bastards, worse prisons, nuns at St Bitches, giant rabbits, and long lost super-hero aunts, in the style of Charles Dickens after far too much gin.

If you liked Blackadder then this historial romp is very much up your street.

With a new series looming on Radio 4 someone recommended this comedy title on Audible. I had missed it when broadcast and as the source of the comedy is Dickens I wasn't sure it was for me. How wrong I was. If you are a fan of 'Old Harry's Game' and 'Revolting People' then get this.

The humour is at times surreal with many running gags but always sharp and perfectly acted by an excellent ensemble cast including the superb Anthony Head.

For anyone who can no longer laugh at the spiteful PC 'observation' ramblings of most current comedy. Here it is! The solution, something to make you remember how much you enjoyed clever humour. If you love early Eddie Izzard, Harry Enfield, Alan Partridge or I'm sorry I haven't a clue. Then buy these and savour them one at a time...
If you are a comedy writer, listen, learn, think positive and create something new..

A star studded cast bring this hilarious parody of Dickensian literature to vivid life. Pip Bin, Harry Biscuit and co must defeat Gently Benevolent, Pip's EVIL guardian, despite set a is such as being sent to the workhouse, press ganged into a ships crew and being accused of plagiarism. How will they get past these Bleak Expectations?

Hi All.
When I first heard this on Radio 4 , I was driving and nearly drove off the road laughing.
I have series 1 & 2 and am eagerly waiting for series 3 to be released.
Its now on my iPod and it makes me cry laughing - it is so funny & witty- get it & enjoy!

The comparisons with Blackadder, Old Harry's Game and Revolting people are completely justified. Well done the BBC. If you have a sense of the ridiculous and do not mind a little lampooning of one of Britain's greatest writers and chroniclers of our sometimes less than attractive Victorian history, then this is for you. A fantastic cast does a great job and PLEASE, Audible, let's have the second series soon.

The performances of all actors add to this great story. Bleak Expectations is a radio play mimicking the stories of Charles Dickens and oozes wit with laughs throughout. Will Pip Bin save the day? Will his best friend Harry Biscuit finally invent something without Swans? And what awful contraption will our intrepid reporter think up next?

Cast performances are great with many famous names amongst the cast. Listen, laugh and enjoy

i had listened to some of the later series on Radio 4 so wanted to start at the beginning. Absolutely bonkers, hilarious, I listened to it when driving, I must have looked strange to other drivers, throwing my head back and laughing out loud. I will definitely be buying the rest of the series :-)

I had heard this BBC production on the ABC in Australia and I was really pleased to find it available on Audible.Dickens in context is of course brilliant but so is Bleak Expectations using parody nd irony it is hilarious. So good to hear humour that requires thought and is so politically incorrect, great choice audible!!

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

Jennifer

Kenmore, Australia

08/02/11

Overall

"As a Dickens fan this cracked me up."

The tone is just spot on and in parts the absurdist humour reminded me of The Goon Show. It's wonderfully acted as well. Well worth a listen!

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Albert L. Riess III

Aldan, PA USA

21/03/15

Overall

Performance

Story

"Outstanding"

I picked this up on a whim and was amazed at how funny it was. I devoured it in 2 days. Great program.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Chad

Newton, NC, United States

25/06/09

Overall

Performance

Story

"Wow...just WOW!"

I bought this audio drama on a whim. One of the best things I've gotten here on audible. Great humor. Reminds me of the wonderful British comedies of past and present. If you liked Blackadder, Python, IT Crowd, and Hogan's Heroes(I know, not British, but still great!), you will love this!

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

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